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Don’t Scratch The Vinyl: Daily Summaries Delivered
by chadjones
“Don’t Scratch The Vinyl.” A music podcast hosted by Chad Jones Each episode will be Chad breaking down a classic album in its entirety. The show will discuss the context of when the record was released, why it mattered in real time, and what music fans can take from the compilation today. Chad will conduct episodes solo or with a guest.
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- Oct 8, 202655 min
Van Halen: 5150 / David Lee Roth: Eat "Em and Smile
In the 1980s fifth calendar flip through, Van Halen had once again scaled to the top of Rock ‘n’ Roll Mountain. After hitting a slight speed bump in the commercial and critical acclaim department early in the decade, Van Halen plastered “The Mighty” back in their moniker with their 6th studio album, 1984. At this point, it seemed like Van Halen was indestructible. But as fate would have it, the disease of more, ego, creative differences, and simmering frustrations would boil over and forever change the band's tenor. 15 months after 1984’s release, Van Halen was left without a lead singer… On April 1st, 1985, Van Halen and David Lee Roth filed for a musical divorce. While stories still conflict over whether Dave quit the band or Van Halen fired him, enough evidence points to the two sides mutually agreeing to part ways. The original Van Halen run was over. But Eddie and Dave still had many musical chapters to write. In 1986, their first full year as separate entities, both Van Halen and David Lee Roth proved they still had plenty left in their creative tanks.
- Jul 30, 20261h 8m
Sublime: Self-Titled
Over the decades, Southern California has bestowed humanity a treasure trove of iconic groups, albums, scenes, stories, and songs. But the territory’s desired way of life and one-of-a-kind ambiance was best musically depicted by a Long Beach trio’s self-titled effort that was released as a posthumous tribute to their fallen frontman. After bumming around the backyard party/club circuit for years, Sublime was set to enter a new era in 1996. In May, the band was primed to release their major label debut that summer after recording sessions in Austin, Texas. On a west coast tour, the crowd was in a frenzy of appreciation taking in live renditions of songs set to come off the new record. But lamentably, the band’s voice, guitarist, and soul would not live long enough to truly realize just how much his music would positively impact the world.
- Jun 19, 20261h 0m
AC/DC: High Voltage
AC/DC is stripped, down n’ dirty, rock n’ roll as God intended. Heavy guitar riffs, rippin’ musical sequences, and lyrics so suggestive they would make Mother Teresa blush. The quintet from down under formed in Sydney, Australia, in late 1973. And after a myriad of early lineup changes, the band rounded into form 2 years later. 1975 would be a crucial year for AC/DC. The band released their first 2 studio albums under EMI in their homeland of Australia. The group’s first record, titled High Voltage, debuted in the Land Down Under on February 17th, 1975. Later that year, on December 1st, T.N.T. was made available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand. Atlantic Records saw the potential and inked AC/DC to a major label deal. In 1976, the band was ready to distribute their sound worldwide. So, with 2 records already under their belt, the Aussies decided to pick out the best of the bunch for their debut international album. Armed with new cover art but the same title as their Australian debut, AC/DC unleashed their first international record in Europe and the UK on April 30th, 1976. The supercharged High Voltage jumped across the pond and landed in the United States on May 14th of that year. The record consisted of 9 songs from the band’s first 2 home-country releases. 2 tracks would come from the original High Voltage, while 7 songs were pulled off of T.N.T. The album was primed to leave its mark on the music world. Some saw the group as an irritating skid mark fouling up rock as they knew it. While others, who would be vindicated many times over as AC/DC would go on to become one of the most successful, beloved, and enduring bands in history, welcomed this rockin’ stampede of renegades that masterfully balanced a dangerous demeanor with a light-hearted attitude.
- Apr 23, 20261h 5m
The Ramones: Debut Album
In the mid-1970s, there was nothing about the rock n’ roll lifestyle that was relatable or obtainable for fans of the genre. The simple chord play and familiar song structure that dominated primitive rock music were things of the past. By the genre’s third decade, intricate and complicated instrumental play had fully taken a death grip on rock. During that same time, New York City had seen better days. The region was full of dilapidated buildings and sketchy characters. The era of The Rat Pack and Mickey Mantle running around the bright lights and big city was gone. It was now Travis Bickle’s Big Apple. And with the angst and frustration of New York literally and figuratively falling apart, a rocking revolution was taking place. Deep into the borough of Queens was the neighborhood of Forest Hills. And that is where a gang consisting of four guys donning leather jackets, tattered sneakers, and worn-out jeans formed to forever change what rock music could look and sound like. On April 23rd, 1976, The Ramones’ debut record was released to the masses. Their cover art was eye-popping, a black and white photo of the four guys leaning against a brick wall in their iconic punk rock garb. Inside the album sleeve contained 14 tracks that combined did not quite crack the half-hour threshold. But the foursome accomplished more in 29 minutes than some bands achieve in 29 years.
- Mar 31, 202645 min
Metallica: Master of Puppets
By the time Master of Puppets came out on March 3rd, 1986, Metallica was truly ready to make the jump to the big time. For 6 months that year, they were the opening act for Ozzy Osbourne. It would be the last time the band played second fiddle to anyone on tour. Metallica's third studio album grabbed mature concepts and meshed them perfectly with gripping, emotional, and vibrant instrumental play. The album sounded even more operatic and larger than live compared to the group's two previous records. Themes of war, the system, and losing hope were at the heart of one of the most important rock records of the 1980s. Metallica had been building to this for years, and it led to the band pushing themselves and the metal genre into untreaded water. But unfortunately, 1986 was also the year a tragic incident forever altered the band’s very foundation.
- Mar 2, 202630 min
Recapping KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas/Show Update
The first time I attended KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas, I arrived holding sweaty resumes while riddled with anxiety. Just two years later, the lead singer of The All-American Rejects was telling me he recognized my face from social media. This past December, I attended 106.7 KROQ's 34th annual Almost Acoustic Christmas as a member of the press. I was excited to see bands like Rise Against, Social Distortion, Third Eye Blind, and others on that bill in person. It was an experience I will never forget. This episode includes an update on the program, including what has been happening at the start of the year and what albums the show will discuss in 2026.
- Jan 1, 202649 min
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: Southern Accents
Smack dab in the middle of Ronald Reagan’s Presidency, Tom Petty wanted to remind the world that even though he had moved to California in the mid 70’s to pursue a music career, he was born a rebel in Gainesville, Florida who grew up with a southern accent. The sixth installment of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers was released on March 26th, 1985. Southern Accents showcases Petty coming to grips with his southern heritage. This album dives into the complexities that arise when sharing the pride you have in your homeland with outsiders who will not always appreciate your culture. Taking in this collection of songs feels akin to enjoying a conversation with the rocker himself.
- Oct 29, 202549 min
No Doubt: Tragic Kingdom
No Doubt was dripping with talent, creativity, and attitude. Trying to put the Anaheim band in a genre box was as difficult as trying to pin a simple label on David Bowie. They used horns, keyboards, guitars, pianos, drums, bass, vocals, and spirit to express themselves. No Doubt could be classified as Ska, Punk, Alternative, Pop, depending on who you ask. But regardless of whichever distinction you choose, the term “unique” must accompany said description. In October of 1995, No Doubt invited the world on a tour through a Tragic Kingdom. Armed with a myriad of songs; some pumped with adrenaline, others sprouting sun beams, and a few dripping with emotion, Gwen Stefani and the lads were primed to catapult into the music stratosphere.
About Don’t Scratch The Vinyl
“Don’t Scratch The Vinyl.” A music podcast hosted by Chad Jones Each episode will be Chad breaking down a classic album in its entirety. The show will discuss the context of when the record was released, why it mattered in real time, and what music fans can take from the compilation today. Chad will conduct episodes solo or with a guest.
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